Butter-cutting machine.



PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905.

R. F. STEWART. BUTTER CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 9. 1.905.

3 SHEETS--SHEET 1.

PATENTED NOV. 14. 1905.

R. F. STEWART.

BUTTER CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wwmaooao PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905.

E. F. STEWART.

BUTTER CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 9. 1905 3 SHEETSSHEBT 3.

8271 aflomiu RICHARD F. STEWART, OF POOANTICO HILLS, NEl V YORK.

BUTTER-CUTTING lVlACl-llNE.

Application filed March 9, 1905. Serial No. 249,170.

To an, whom (It may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD F. STEWART, a citizen of the United States,residing at P0- cantico Hills, in the county of l/Vestchester and Stateof New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Butter-CuttingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to butter-cutting machines, and isdesigned for use in cut ting up and forming into prints both tub orpackage butter, which is generally hard and close-packed, and alsocreamery butter, so that a single machine cheap in construction, simplein operation, and capable of use with both the tub and creamery butteris provided.

In some of its features the machine bears a general resemblance to, thewell-known Stewart butter-cutting machines, illustrated in Patents Nos.657,227 and 67 2, 136; but it possesses certain improvements andadvantages over the constructions found in those patents, which will. behereinafter described in detail, and shown in the accompanying drawings,which form a part of this specification.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 2 is anend view looking in the direction of the arrow 2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of a portion of the machine, on asomewhat larger scale than Fig. 1, taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows adjacent the section-line 3 3.Fig. 4 is a detail view of the framework of the machine, showing thesupports for the mold-box and the printingroller. Fig. 5 is a detailview, on a somewhat smaller scale than the other figures, of thevertical cutter-frame and its standards. Fig. 6 is a detail view showingthe long supporting post or standard for the vertical cutter and thedriving-gear therefor. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the locking devicewhich supports the vertical cutter in raised position. Fig. 8 is adetail view of one end of the print-conveyer frame, showing thedriving-roller, the adjustment therefor, and the gears for operatingsaid driving-roller. Figs. 9 to 12, inclusive, are detail views of therackand-gear driving mechanism for operating the print-conveyer.

Referring to the drawings by numeral, like numbers indicating like partsin the several views, 1 denotes the supporting-table, which may be ofany suitable form and of proper dimensions to support the mechanism.Mounted on the said table is the bed 2,.upon which the package of butteris placed, said bed 2 being Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1905.

provided with grooves or interstices to receive the cutting-wires of thevertical cutter it is drawn through the mass of butter, so that thebutter will be completely divided into slabs or bars. Secured to saidtable 1, at opposite sides thereof, are guides 3, (see Figs. 1 and 6,)which are adapted to receive the supportingstandards t and 5 of thevertical cutter 6, said cutter being of any suitable or desired type andin the present instance consisting of a rectangular frame which isspanned by adjustablymounted cutting-wires 7. Said standards 4 and 5 areround in eross-section and slide freely through the guides 3, so thatthe frame 6 has a rising-and-falling movement relative to the bed 2. Thestandards4and5are provided with racks, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, whichracks when the frame 6 is in cutting position above the bed 2 and thestandards 4: and 5 are in their supports are engaged by gear wheels 8,mounted on a shaft 9, said shaft 9 being provided with anoperating-handle 10, by which it may be rotated, and through theengagement of the gears 8 with the racks on the standards 4 and 5 thecutter 6, with its wires, may be drawn down and through the butter, soas to divide the same vertically. In order to lock the frame 6 in raisedposition above the bed 2, I preferably provide a lockinglatch 11,(see-Figs. 6 and 7,) which latch is shown in the present case pivoted tothe guide 3 and adapted to be thrown into engagement with the teeth ofthe rack on the standard 5, so that descent of the cutter-frame 6 isprevented.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the cutter-frame 6 is supportedby two standards 4 and 5, which slide freely in their guides 3, and inorder that the frame 6 may be swung to one side and leave the bed 2clear to facilitate placing thereon a package of butter I provide thefollowing construction: The standard 5 is made slightly longer than theopposite standard 4, so that when the cutterframe 6 has been raised tothe point where the standard 4 is clear of the guide3 the standard 5will be in engagement with its guide 3 in the position shown in Fig. 6.In this position the frame6may be swung upon the guide 3 as a pivot fromabove the bed 2 and into the position shown in Fig. 1. The said standard5 is provided at its lower end with circumferential grooves 12, whichwhen the standard is in the position shown in Fig. 6 engage the teeth ofthe gear-wheel 8 and form there with a rotatable connection, whichpermits the frame 6 to be swung to the position shown in Fig. 1 withoutdisengaging the standard 5 from its guide 3, the engagement of the gear8 with the grooves 12 acting as a lock to prevent complete withdrawal ofthe standard 5, but permitting at the same time free rotary movement. Itwill thus be seen that means for dividing apackage or tub of buttervertically into slabs or bars is provided which is easily raised andlowered to perform its cutting movement and which may be readily swungout of the way to permit the placing of a tub of butter upon the bed inposition for cutting.

In order that the tub of butter may be cut horizontally as well asvertically, if desired, the said frame 6 is preferably provided with anauxiliary horizontal cutter-frame 13 of inverted-U shape, as shown inFig. 2, said frame 13 being removably secured to one side of thevertical cutter-frame 6 by means of suitable clamps 14., (see Figs. 1and 2,) the lower end of one limb of the inverted-U-shaped frame beingsecured to the standard 5 by means of a suitable securing-bolt 15, asshown in Figs. 2 and 6. The said horizontal cutterframe 13 is providedwith cutting-wires 16, which may be adjustably secured thereon in anysuitable manner. The said horizontal cutter-frame 13, whicl1,asshowninFig. 1, projects from one corner of the vertical frame 6 at right anglesthereto, will when the cutterframe 6 is swung from its inactive or openposition (shown in Fig. 1) to its cutting or closed position above thebed 2 sweep across the bed in an arc, and its cutting-wires 16 willdivide the package of butter on the bed 2 horizontally, leaving thebutter mass cut into superposed sections or blocks ready for divisioninto bars or slabs by the vertical cutter. When the cutter-frame 6 hasbeen brought to proper cutting position above the bed 2, the shortstandard a will be entered in the guide 3, the racks on the standards 1and 5 will engage the gears 8, the latch 11 will be thrown out, and uponrotation of the shaft 9 the gears 8 will draw down the verticalcutter-frame 6 through the butter, severing the horizontallydivided massby vertical cuts in the manner above described. The table 1 is providedwith a slot 17, (see Fig. 1,) which receives and permits vertical playof the horizontal cutterframe 13 as the vertical cutter-frame 6 is givenits reciprocating movement, so that no interference with the movement ofthe cutterframe 6 can occur.

Mounted on suitable legs 18 and adjacent the bed 2 is a mold-box 19,(see Fig. 3,) said mold-box having a reciprocating plunger 20 therein,which plunger is moved by means of a rack 21 engaging a gear 22 on ashort shaft 23, journaled in rear of the mold-box and provided with anysuitable driving means, as

crank 24:. Bearing-struts 25, secured abovethe rack 21, serve to keepsaid racks always in engagement with its gears 22. The said plunger 20has a rearwardly-projecting apron 26, which acts as a cut-off for themold-box feed, presently to be described, during the forward movement ofthe plunger 20. Above said mold -box 19 is a rectangular tray 27 ofconsiderable size, which has at one corner an opening or feedway 28,leading to the moldboX 19. At its front the opening has a guardplate 29,which serves to direct and support the contents of the tray as it is feddown through thefeedway 28 into the mold-box, while just forward of theopening 28 and depending into the mold-box is a pivoted pressure andmolding plate 30, adjusting-screws 31 being provided to secure thenecessary adjustment of the plate 30 and regulate its pressure on thebutter as it passes through the mold-box.

Adjustably journaled in suitable bearingbloeks 32 at the delivery end ofthe mold-box 19 is a printing-roller 33 of any suitable type, saidblocks 32 sliding vertically on supports 34 and having temper-screws 35for adjustment of the roller.

The operation of the mechanism thus far described is as follows: Thepackage of butter having been placed on the bed 2, it is subjected tothe action of one or both of the cutters 13 and 6. After this operationthe butter is in the form of blocks if both the cutters have been usedor in the form of slabs if only the vertical cutter 6 has been used,

for it will be understood that the horizontal cutter-frame 13 may bedetached from the frame 6 if a vertical division only of the package ofbutter is desired. The slabs of butter are then taken and fed into theopening or feedway 28 in the tray 27, passing into the mold-box 19. henthe slab is in position, the plunger 20 is driven forward by itsrackand-gear operating mechanism, cutting off a block of butter from theslab and sliding it forward through the mold-box and beneath thepressure and molding plate 30, which regulates the density and size ofthe block according to its position of adjustment in the mold-box. Theguard-plate 29, above referred to, serves to support the slab of butter,and the apron 26, projecting rearwardly from the plunger, acts as acut-off for the feedway 28, so that as the plunger 20 makes its cuttingstroke it supports the slab of butter. Upon the return stroke of theplunger 20 and after it clears the feedway 28 the slab of butter willdrop, and so will automatically feed until it has been completely outinto blocks. The blocks thus formed are slid forward out of the mold-boxupon a receiving-table made up of sections 36, (see Figs. 1. 2, and 3,)this sectional table being formed by slotting one side and the bottom ofthe table, the other side of the table being preferably deeply grooved,as at 37, Figs. 1 and 2, to form seats for the cutting-wires of theprint-cutter, which will now be described.

The print-cutter, so called for the reason that it divides the printedblocks delivered from the mold-box into commercial prints ready forwrapping, consists of a substantially U-shaped yoke or bow 38, the openfront of which is spanned by adjustable cutting-wires 39. The saidprint-cutter 38 has a relatively long supporting-leg 40, which ispivoted to the crossbeam 41 of the machine-table 1, so that the aredescribed by the bow 38 is large, and in making its cutting movement thecutter approaches rather closely a horizontal line, thus securing a moreeffective cutting action on the printed block resting on the sectionalreceiving-table 36. As is apparent, the wires 39 traverse the slotsbetween the table-sections and after making their forward cut lie withinthe grooves 37 in the side of the table 36, (see dotted lines, Fig. 2,)leaving the table clear and unobstructed for movement of the dividedprints across it, for the print-cutter is designed to cut the blocks onits return stroke as well as its forward stroke, so that the necessityof returning the cutter to a starting position before making a cuttingstroke is done away with. After the blocks are divided into prints bythe action of the print -cutter just described they rest on thereceiving-table until the succeeding blocks fed from the mold-box 19 bythe action of the plunger 20 push them off ontoaconveyerbelt 42,preferably made of galvanized steel or German silver in order that itmay not taint or become foul. The said belt 42 is mounted on pu'lleys 43and 44, jour'naled in a suitable frame 45 at the end of the table 1, thepulley 44 (see Fig. 8) being the drivingpulley for the belt 42, andmounted, as shown, in open slots 46 in the side rails of the frame 45,so that a longitudinal adjustment of driving-pulley 44 may be secured byadjusting the same in the slots 46. A convenient construction forsecuring this adjustment is shown in Fig. 8, in which a sliding end yokeis provided, the arms 46 of which are channeled to engage the side railsof the frame 45, the shaft of the pulley 44 passing through the ends ofthe arms 46, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. It will be seen that movementof this end yoke will move the pulley 44 to tighten or slackcn the belt42. The said end yoke has the adjustingscrews 47, which bear against theends of the rails of frame 45, and for convenience in assembling theparts the end yoke is preferably made in two parts, (see Fig. 8,) whichare held together by a bolt, as shown. The shaft 48 of pulley 44isextended, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8, and it has mounted at its end twogears 49 and 50, which are free to turn on the shaft 48. Between thegears 49 and 50 is a double-faced ratchet-wheel 51, said ratchetwheelbeing splined to the shaft 48, so as'to have a driving action thereonwhen rotated. The ratchet-wheel 51 has a longitudinal play between thegears 49 and 50, so that it may engage with either of thereversely-placed ratchet-rings 52, fixed to the inner faces of the gears49 and 50. (See Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive.) It will be seen that withthis con struction the gears 49 and 50 will each drive the.ratchet-wheel 51, shaft 48, pulley 44, and belt 42 when driven in onedirection, but that when rotated in the opposite direction theratchet-teethwill slip past one another idly, the gears 49 and 50 andintermediate ratchet-w heel 51 being so spaced as that the idle gearwill wedge the splined ratchetwheel 51 into engagement with the activegear and insure driving connection between them. The driving of theratehet-and-gear mechanism just described is effected by means of aframe 52, having relatively offset upper and lower racks 53 and 54,engaging, respectively, with gears 49 and 50, so that reciprocation ofthe rack-frame 52 will rotate the gears, and one or the other, dependenton the direction of rotation, will impart a step-by-step rotary movementto the ratchetwheel 51, the shaft 48, to which it is splined, the pulley44, andconveyer-belt 42. The frame 52 is pivotally connected with theyoke or bow 38 of the print-cutter. (see Fig. 2,) so that as the cutteris swung back and forth the rack-frame 52 will be reciprocated and thenecessary feed 8 be imparted to the conveyer 42. ln-order that the speedand travel of the conveyor 42 may be varied to some eX- tent, provisionis made for adjusting the connection between the frame 5 and theswinging print-cutter 38 by means of a series of holes 53 in thecutter-yoke 38, in any one of which the pivot-pin 54 of the rack-frame52 may be entered, it being obvious that movement of the rack-frameconnection toward or from the center on which the print-cutter 38 swingswill have the effect of varying the stroke of the same and the travel ofthe conveyer-belt.

It will be seen that with the conveyer or mechanism just described theprints pushed from the table 36 are moved directly onto theconveyer-belt 42, carried out of the way, and delivered to a wrapper,who may stand at the end of the table 1 ready to receive the finishedproduct of the machine.

In the description hereinbefore the action of the machine has been setforth in connection with tub or package butter. In handling creainerybutter, which is more soft and less dense in character, or in shapingthe irregular fragments left froindivided tub or package butter thepreliminary cutting operations by means of the horizontal and verticalcutters 13 and 6 are of course eliminated and the butter is put directlyinto the tray 27. The mass of butter is worked or paddled by theoperator toward the feed way 28 and passes through the same into themold-box 19, after which it is subjected to the same action of thesucceeding devices as has been hereinbefore described in connection withpackage or tub butter.

It has been found that the machine constructed in accordance with myinvention is adaptable to the work of putting up both tub and creamerybutter without destroying the grain or expressing the juice to anyextent, so that loss from shrinkage during cutting and printing isentirely eliminated. It will be seen, furthermore, that in the presentmachine the butter is handled by the operator but once during the workof cutting, it being necessary only for him to transfer the butter slabsfrom the bed 2 to the feedway 28, after which the machine handles thebutter and delivers it to the wrapper.

While I have shown and described a particular construction and that thebest now known to me, it is clear that mechanical constructions andexpedients other than those shown and described may be adopted incarrying my invention into effect, and all such equivalentdevices,involving as they do mere exercise of mechanical skill, I deem to bewithin the scope of my invention.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a buttencutting machine andin combination, a bed to receive the package of butter, a cutter-framemovable toward and from the bed, and supporting and guiding standardsfor said frame; one of said standards being extended to form a pivot onwhich the cutter-frame may be swung when in raised position.

2. In a butter-cutting machine and in combination, a bed to receive thepackage of butter; avertically-movable cutter-frame; guiding andsupporting racks for said frame, one of which racks is extended to forma vertical pivot on which said cutter-frame may swing horizontally,driving gears engaging said racks to move said frame vertically, and alocking-latch to engage one of said racks and hold the cutter-frame inelevated position.

3. In a butter-cutting machine and in combination, a bed to receive thepackage of butter; a vertically-movable cutter-frame; guiding andsupporting racks for said frame, one of which racks is extended to forma vertical pivot on which said cutter-frame may swing horizontally;drivinggears engaging said racks to move said frame vertically; andconnections between said extended guiding and supporting rack and itsdriving-gear which form a bearing for the cutter-frame during itshorizontal movement.

4:. In a buttercutting machine and in combination, a bed to receive thepackage of butter; a vertically-movablecutter-frame; guiding andsupporting racks for said frame, one of which racks is extended to forma vertical pivot on which said cutter-frame may swing horizontally;driving-gears engaging said racks to move said frame vertically; andcircumferential ribs on said extended guiding and supporting rack toengage its drivinggear and form a bearing for the cutter-frame duringits horizontal movement.

5. In a butter-cutter and in combination, a bed to receive the packageof butter; cutting instrumentalities comprising a horizontalcutter-frame, and a vertical cutter-frame; a guiding and supportingstandard for said frames; and a guide in which said standard is slidablyand rotatably mounted.

6. In a butter-cutting machine and in combination, a bed to receive thepackage of butter; cutting instrumentalities comprising a horizontalcutter-frame and a vertical cutterframe; guiding and supportingstandards for said frames, one of which standards is extended to form arotatable bearing for said frames; and guides in which said standardsslide and in one of which said extended standard is rotatable.

7. A cutter for butter-cutting machines comprising two frames at rightangles to each other, a slidable and rotatable guiding and supportingstandard for said frames, and cuttingwires spanning said frames.

8. A cutter for butter-cutting machines comprising a horizontalcutter-frame, a vertical cutter-frame detachably connected to saidhorizontal cutter-frame, a slidable and rotatable supporting and guidingstandard for said frames, and cutting wires spanning said frames.

9. A cutter for butter-cutting machines comprising a horizontalcutter-frame, a vertical cutter-frame of inverted-U shape at rightangles to said horizontal cutter-frame, a slidable and rotatablesupporting-standard for said frames, and cutting-wires spanning saidframes.

10. A cutter for butter-cutting machines comprising a horizontalcutter-frame, a vertical cutter-frame of inverted-U shape detachablysecured to said horizontal cutter-frame, a slidable and rotatablesupporting-standard for said frames, and cutting-wires spanning saidframes.

11. In a butter-cutting machine, and in combination, atable, abutter-receiving bed, a cutter-frame parallel to said bed, acutter-frame perpendicular to said bed, and a slidable and rotatablesupporting-standard for said frames, said table being slotted to receivethe perpendicular cutter-frame during rising-and-falling movements ofthe parallel cutter-frame.

12. In an organized machine for cutting and molding butter, thecombination with a bed for the package of butter, a cutter for dividingthe package into slabs, a mold-box having a feedway to receive theslabs, aplunger reciprocable within said box to sever blocks from theslabs inserted in said feed way, a receivingtable for the blocks, and atransversely-movable cutter to divide the blocks into prints.

13. In an organized machine for cutting and molding butter, thecombination with a bed for the package of butter, a cutter f r dividingthe package into slabs, a mold-box having a feedway to receive theslabs, a plunger reci procable within said box to sever blocks from theslabs inserted in said feedway, a receivingtable for the blocks, atransversely-movable cutter to divide the blocks into prints, and aconveyer to which the prints are fed fromtthe receiving-table.

14. In a butter-cutting machine, the combination with a receiving-tablefor butter blocks, of a cutter for dividing the blocks into prints, atraveling conveyer for the prints adjacent said receiving-table, andmeans for giving a step-by-step movement to said conveyer.

15. In a butter-cutting machine, the combination with a receiving-tablefor butter blocks, a cutter movable relative to said table to divide theblocks into prints, a traveling printconveyer adjacent said table, andconnections between said cutter and conveyer whereby movement of thecutter will impart step-bystep movements to said conveyer.

16. In a butter-cutting machine, the combination withaslottedreceiving-table for butter blocks, a swinging cutter movable across saidslotted table, a traveling print-conveyer adjacent said table, andadjustable connections between said swinging cutter and conveyer wherebymovement of the cutter will impart step-by-step movements to theconveyer.

17. In a butter-cutting machine, the combination with a slottedreceiving-table for the butterblocks, of a swinging cutter movableacross said table to divide the blocks into prints, a travelingprint-conveyer adjacent said table, gear-and-ratchet mechanism on one ofthe conveyer-supporting shafts, and a driving-rack pivotally connectedwith said swinging cutter and engaging said. gear-and-ratchet mechanism,whereby movement of the swinging cutter will impart step-by-stepmovements to said conveyer.

18. In a butter-cutting machine, the combination with a slottedreceiving-table for the butter blocks, of a swinging cutter movableacross said table to divide the blocks into prints,. a travelingprint-conveyer adjacent said table, double gear-and-ratchet mechanism onone of the conveyer-supporting shafts, and a double driving-rackpivotally connected with said swinging cutter and engaging saidgear-and-ratchet mechanism, whereby movement of the swinging cutter ineither direction will impart step-by-step movements to said conveyer.

19. A receiving-table for butter-cutting mechanism comprising asubstantially rectangular box having its bottom and one side slotted forthe passage of cutting-wires of a cutting implement, the otherside ofthe box having seats for the reception of the cuttingwires.

20. In a butter-cutting machine, thecombination with a mold-box toreceive the butter, a reciprocating plunger to feed the butter throughthe mold-box, a receiving-table to which said plunger delivers havingits bottom and one side slotted and provided with wirereceiving seats inits other side, and a doublestroke cutter movable across said table andadapted to divide the butter into prints during its forward and backwardmovements.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

RICHARD F. STEWART.

Witnesses:

BENEDICT S. VVIsE, JAMES LASKER.

